Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:

With this award, we want to highlight how EU-funded research can benefit citizens and society. We will put the spotlight on projects that have impact on the economy, environment or policymaking. I look forward to seeing many excellent examples of how EU-funded research makes a difference to our daily lives.

The prize will highlight concrete achievements that have demonstrable value for society, and will celebrate the people who made it happen. The contest is open only to FP7 and Horizon 2020 projects that are closed and that can provide proof of their impact. Each of the five winners will receive €10 000.

The contest is open for applications until 2 April 2020, and the winners will be announced at the European Research and Innovation Days in Brussels in September.

Background

This prize aims to illustrate the wider socio-economic benefits of EU investment in research and innovation and to encourage project beneficiaries on how best to manage and utilise research results. The winning projects from 2019 have come up with a new drug for a rare disease, helped prevent child abuse, increased security of browsing the web and protected coastal areas against the effects of climate change.

More information

Horizon Impact award website